Rotary engine.



No. 696,825. Patented Apr. 1, I902.

I. v. KETBHAM.

ROTARY ENGINE.

(Application filed. Sept. 27, 1901.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 696,825. Patented Apr. I, I902. l

I. v. KETCHAM.

ROTARY ENGINE.

(Appl ication filed Heft. 27; 19o'1.)

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ROTARY ENGINE.

$PEC1FIOATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 696,825, dated. April 1, 1902.

Application filed gcptembcr 27, 1901. Serial No. 76,781. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISRAEL VALENTINE KETCHAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Rotary Engine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Thisinvention relates to a motor which may be driven by fluid-pressure of any sort, but is best adapted for operation with steam.

It consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be fully set forth hereinafter.

This specification is a specific description of one form of the invention, while the claims are definitions of the exact scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4:- of Fig. 3.

According to the structure here shown the engine is constructed with cylinders Ct, each with a valve-chest ct. Through the cylinders a passes a concentric shaft Z), common to both cylinders. On the shaftb within the respectivecylindersare fastenedtwocircularpistons c, the peripheries of which are formed with steam-pockets c, tapering as shown, and terminatingin radial shoulders 0 These pockets c are oppositely disposed in the respective pistons c, and therefore one piston is adapted for driving the shaft Z) in one direction and the other piston for driving the shaft in the opposite direction.

0. represents the passages for the exhaust.

\Vithin each valve-chest is a valve d, such being set oppositely to correspond with their respective pistons. The valves have trunnions d mounted to rock in the walls of the valve-chest. One of the trunnions on each valve carries fast outside of the chest a sector d projecting upwardly and having pins (Z between which extends an arm e, carried loosely on trunnions d. The arms e carry dogs e, which work with quadrants a so as to hold the arms in any position desired.

port d".

Formed in each valve d is a steam feed-port (1 a steam cushion-port d, and a cavity d. f indicates the steam-chests whereto lead the steam-pipesf'. These chests fcommunicate with the valve-chests by way of three ports f f and f related respectively to the cavity (1 the feed-port d, and the cushion- The parts are so arranged that one portonlyof the steam-chest will be in registry with one of the ports and cavity of the valve at one time, but the valve is capable of such movement as will place either of its ports or the cavity in registry with the appropriate steam-chest port.

In the "operation of the engine one piston and its valve stand inactive while the other piston and valve are in operation, and when the movement of the engine is to be reversed the active piston is arrested and the formerly inactive piston put in operation. Thus in Fig. 3 the near piston is supposed to be driving in the direction of the arrow shown, while the far piston (not indicated in said view) is supposed to be at rest. lVhen in operation, the active valve (1 is thrown down, (see Fig. 3,) placing the ports d and f in registry. Steam then passes into the pockets 0 and acting against the shoulders 0 drives the piston. The nose of the valve bears on the periphery of the piston, and owing to the form thereof the valve is rockedcontinuously on its axis, thus cutting off the steam'feed each time that a shoulder 0 passes the valve. The valve returns promptly to its lower position by gravity, and this movement is assisted upon the registry of the port f with the cavity 01 at which period the steam presses on the walls of the cavity and tends to throw downward the valve. To stop the engine quickly for reversal or otherwise, assuming the parts to be in the adjustment shown in Fig. 3, Whereat the far valve (see dotted lines in said figure) is raised clear of its piston, thus placing the ports (1 and f in registry, the steam-pipe f of said far valve should be opened and the steam-pipe of the near piston closed. Then the steam passing through the port (1 of the far valve will act against the shoulders c of the far piston contrary to the direction in which the pistons are moving, the effect of which will be to stop the movement of the pistons and shaft. If the operation of thocngine is to be wholly stopped, both steam-pipes should then be closed. If it is to be reversed, the rear valve (see Fig.3) should be raised and its steam pipe closed. The far valve should then'be thrown down and the steam allowed to pass through the port d of said valve, thus to drive the engine oppositely to the direction of the arrow shown-in Fig. The valves may be thrown and held as desired by the arms 6, and when the valves are working the arms should stand as in Fig. 1, so as not to interfere with the valves.

It should be distinctly understood that While Ihave referred to steam passages, valves, &c., I do not limit the use of the engine to this motive agent. 7 Other fluids under pressure may be employed.

Various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of my invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of myinvention. Hence I consider myself entitled to, all such variations as may lie within the scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston therein, a valve-chest communicating with the cylinder, an oscillating valve mounted in the valve-chest, the stem of the valve projecting beyond the wall of the chest, a sector fastened to said projected stem and having at each edge alaterally-projected part, an arm mounted loosely on the valvestem, and means for adjustably fastening said arm to a relatively stationary part of the engme.

2. The combination of a circular cylinder, a rotary piston mounted therein and having a shoulder to bear the steam-pressure,a valvechest, a valve mounted to rock therein, said valve having two steam-ports leading into the cylinder, and a steam-chest having two ports designed respectively to register with the ports in the Valve, whereby to connect the steam-chest With the cylinder, the ports in valve and in the steam-chest being different distances apart for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of a circular cylinder, a rotary piston mounted therein and having a shoulder to bear the steam-pressure, a valvechest, a valve mounted to rock therein, said valve having two steam-ports leadinginto the cylinder, and a steam-chest having two ports designed respectively to register with the ports in the valve, whereby to connect the steam-chest with the cylinder, the ports in valve and in the steam-chest being dilferent distances apart for the purpose specified, the steam-chest having a third port and the valve having a cavity adapted to register with the third port, When the valve is raised clear of the piston.

4. The combination of a cylinder, a piston, a valve-chest, a rocking valve thereon, the Valve having a steam-port and also having a cavity at one side of its center of movement, and a steam-chest having a port registering with the steam-port of the valve and also having a port registering with the cavity in the valve when the valve is raised clear of the piston.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ISRAEL VALENTINE KE'lCllAM.

Witnesses:

LAURA H. KETOHAM, JOHN T. FINN. 

